let the discussions begin...
6/20/2008 05:43:53 am
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Steph Doughty
6/20/2008 10:09:54 am
Concerning media scrutiny... yes, it's going to be a rough ride for Obama. They will attack his name, skin colour, and if I'm not mistaken, they will bring up his drug using past. However, if you think back a year and a bit ago, he was just a man whose name was unknown. I remember seeing an article of him in a magazine... they title being something along the lines of "Obama... A Long Shot." And look how far he's come! Despite this, CNN will definately not work to his advantage, because really, CNN doesn't work in anyones favour. It's funny, I remember you clearly stating that Al Gore was going to join the race at the last minute and have a sweeping victory. Hmmm... My point is, nothing is definate. What with everything being subject to change, I don't much believe in polls. But that's me. In general, people rely much to heavily on polls and newscoverage to form their own opinions about politicians... which is useless, because these opinions have been filtered down by those in charge; so already you are using someone else's opinion. Then there are the bloggers... and they vary. Some seek independent sources for knowledge, some not so much. Regardless, they are probably already more in a political set of mind, so probably already have their set views and will probably vote according to them... rather than what specific parties offer, that is, their platforms. It's kind of like, "Well, I'm a Democrat/Republican... who do you think I'm going to vote for?" In that case, I think many Democrats will vote for Obama because he's the candidate representing the party... and the same goes for McCain. Personally, I don't know much about either of their platforms, but I know enough to say that Obama stands for change and McCain, well... not to much. To me, McCain is not what America needs (whether they recognize that is a completely different matter). Obama has his faults, but he's human. More than that, he's idealistic and when he speaks, I believe him. His eloquence resonates truth, which is much more than I can say for McCain. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but that really shouldn't factor in considering that the world is often viewed in quite an apocolyptic manner. Global Warming, Iraq, oil, billions of people starving (and people ridiculously saying biofuels is just what we need), illiteracy, extreme poverty... it goes on. I think what upsets me the most is that when people choose a leader, they often neglect to realize that what their leader does affects the rest of us. For example, when the US refused to sign Kyoto, thereby refusing to try to change set consummeristic and non-ecological patterns (perhaps until Bush had the epiphany to conclude that "Americans are addicted to oil"), we all suffer. We're all in this together. In a sense, we're just as bad. We all like to blame Bush for the wrongdoings of the world (and indeed, he's responsible for his share), but often we're so entirely apathetic or lazy (or both) that really, what difference does it make? We ought to be just as active... we're all stuck on this planet together. Does no one care about what lives our children will lead... let alone the millions, if not billions, of children who are currently suffering? Or do they believe that politicians are not the modus operandi to make that change happen? (yes, off topic) Regardless, I believe in Obama; perhaps he will revitalize our dreams and captivate our souls enough to regenerate our wanning attitudes. But moreover, maybe he will inspire people at least to vote. Not necessarily for him, but just to think about the world, take a moment to consider your situation in life compared to everyone else, and figure out what you can do to make this world a better place to live in. To become a better human being... one who helps someone in need without asking for anything in return. So, despite the rough seas ahead for Obama, hopefully he will inspire people enough to just care. I'm done ranting now--I promise.
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Melissa Dimitriadis
6/21/2008 12:07:19 am
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Melissa Dimitriadis
6/21/2008 12:39:37 am
I agree with both of you. Obama is in for one rough ride. Although like Steph I am not completely familiar with the platforms for the parties, I do know that after all these years of war it has to end. There needs to be change and a instead of guns and tanks words and speech need to be used. But for that to happen there needs someone who will be able to stand up to a lot of people.
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6/22/2008 01:19:45 am
Steph, when I stated that Al Gore would enter the race, I felt that The Democratic race would end in a stalemate and the threat of a divisive Convention would lead to a call to Gore [who is now the elder statesman ],to come to the rescue.It did not happen and now we have disenchanted and bitter Hillary supporters threatening either not to vote or to vote for McCain.
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6/22/2008 01:40:46 am
Melissa, yes,but
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6/23/2008 12:44:39 am
UPDATE......UPDATE.......UPDATE
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Steph Doughty
6/23/2008 02:38:20 pm
You paint quite a grim picture.... I remember last year in class Nathalie had asked you if you thought it were possible for a black man to be elected as president; you said that it was not likely, but in the event that it would happen, he might be assissinated or otherwise taken out of his position. Do you stand by this opinion? Do you think, in the event that he is elected, that some Americans are not ready to handle it? On a sidenote, speaking about faith... could it not be possible that voters who are usually disenchanted (by the same old policy, just different figureheads) will have enough faith to vote for Obama? Or to at least acknowledge that perhaps McCain isn't best for America right now? Or perhaps, that's the point. Maybe America is just so apethetic, they would rather stick to the status quo than be brave and vote for the man (sadly no women are still running...) behind the face. I'm just wondering, but given everything, aren't Americans ready for change yet? I recognize that many don't vote... way to many... but still. Wouldn't the fact that America has the highest proportion of wealthy and poor people in the world be a sort of incentive for the poor to vote? To stand up and decry the status quo? Where has all the hope gone? Or maybe, it's like you said... if poverty is the most degrading circumstance, perhaps people are to far gone to vote. Past the point of hope. AS for the disenchanted Hilary voters... what? They were all keen to vote Democrat and are now going to either be childish and refuse to vote, or vote for McCain--a Republican? What, their enthusiasm for making the world a better place has evaporated? Hmm... I can understand that they are upset, but it seems kind of contrary to all their enthusiasm for political change to just not vote... not care. I'd like more women in political power, too, but I'm not going to neglect voting just because the option isn't there. If anything, I would probably vote for someone who thinks more women should be in office, and thereby wants to change the set ways. As for race, (whatever that really means...) what's the big deal? Are we really still on this? That his skin colour means he is bad? "RISKY"? What are these negative stereotypes that are provoking people to vote Republican, or simply not vote? Well, I'm thoroughly annoyed now. What do you think, Ishwar?
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6/25/2008 02:44:11 am
Reality is grim.
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Melissa Dimitriadis
6/26/2008 12:23:40 pm
Our world is grim. I understand that American's rely heavily on religion. My own personal views on the issue cloud my opinion, and before i talk about it i want to make that clear. I dont understand why religion shoud have any impact, it isnt religion that decides on tax cuts, policies,that chooses if we go to war or not. But religion is implanted into the decicions none the less, like my views can create biases it creates bias for those in charge. That particular incident really bothered me because instead of talking about some of the things he believes in or in what he is trying to change and do they focus on something that is of no real importance. I get talking about it for like a day but some pretty harsh things may have been impied, but they talked about this for a FULL week, everytime you truned on the TV they were discussing this. By the third day i was wondering if there wasnt anything more imporatn going on in the world than that. I understadn why they do focus on it and what the impacts can be but to me it doesnt seem right.
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Steph Doughty
6/29/2008 06:02:44 am
But, what I think is most central to this discussion, is why--why are Americans (we can extend this, but I'm trying to focus)not ready for change? Is it fear? I'm sure fear plays a role, no doubt about it. But seriously, don't people ever get tired of the status quo? Or, is it more like what Ishwar was saying, those who are totally disgusted by the status quo are not even registered voters? In that case, where do we go from here? What's that saying... you can only lead a horse to water.
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7/2/2008 01:43:17 pm
Steph.......The American system was founded by America's first ELITE class.They were more interested in maintaining the system they founded and therefore adopted various devices to ensure this......the Written constitution with an amending clause that restricts change ( only 28 successful amendments out of nearly 10,000 proposals ),the Federal system, the Electoral college for electing the President, the Senate and the Court system.Changes must be gradual and incremental. There have been only 2 times when radical changes took place, and they were done to save the system when it was threatened......The Civil War and The Great Depression.Most other changes, when they infrequently happened, have been mostly cosmetic. It is not merely fear of change. It is the extreme difficulty of bringing about change. This what Barack Obama is up against...........Ishwar
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Ishwar Prashad
7/2/2008 01:50:11 pm
Melissa....Religion is very important in American politics. That is why candidates are very careful not to incur the wrath of any group.....Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Fundamentalists Christians, Hindus etc.This is particularly true on social issues.....abortion, prayer in schools, homosexuality, gun control etc. It also affects foreign policy....support for Israel, rejection of policies towards Iraq/ Afghanistan/ Palestine/ Taiwan etc.
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7/4/2008 07:50:27 am
Steph.......The American system was founded by America's first ELITE class. They were more interested in maintaining the system they founded and therefore adopted various devices to ensure this......the Written constitution with an amending clause that restricts change ( only 28 successful amendments out of nearly 10,000 proposals ),the Federal system, the Electoral college for electing the President, the Senate and the Court system. Changes must be gradual and incremental. There have been only 2 times when radical changes took place, and they were done to save the system when it was threatened......The Civil War and The Great Depression. Most other changes, when they infrequently happened, have been mostly cosmetic. It is not merely fear of change. It is the extreme difficulty of bringing about change. This is what Barack Obama is up against...........Ishwar
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7/4/2008 07:50:57 am
Melissa....Religion is very important in American politics. That is why candidates are very careful not to incur the wrath of any group.....Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Fundamentalists Christians, and Hindus etc. This is particularly true on social issues.....abortion, prayer in schools, homosexuality, gun control etc. It also affects foreign policy....support for Israel, rejection of policies towards Iraq/ Afghanistan/ Palestine/ Taiwan etc.
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Steph Doughty
7/5/2008 02:08:46 pm
So, it seems settled: Politians inevitably pander. Sad, really. Where are the statesmen? Almost makes me wish we could have a completely blank slate and start from scratch.
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7/6/2008 07:14:47 am
Steph......resignation is not the answer. Knowledge is power and that is why those who are knowledgeable have a responsibility to ensure that those who are cortrupting the system, are exposed.
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Steph Doughty
7/7/2008 02:27:32 am
I'm not resigning, no worries. On another note, I am curious to know who you think will win the election (and for what reasons).
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Hannah Deegan
7/7/2008 06:59:56 am
I think the difficulty to bring about change in the USA is the country's fatal flaw, because as the saying goes, "roll with progress, or progress will roll over you". Unfortunately for the Democrats and Obama, the Republicans traditional campaign is a lot more acceptable and idealistic then the progressive approach of Obama's "Change we can believe in" campaign. Bottom line, people hate change.
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Hannah Deegan
7/7/2008 07:03:01 am
and by the way, one reason to NOT vote for Mccain even though he is " a war hero and 'safe" is because the whole slow-witted Texan with a safe-sounding name thing didn't work out so well last time.
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Angela Morency
7/7/2008 12:35:03 pm
First of all I'd like to say that this discussion is interesting and without getting too personal on my feelings about the United States, I do not think that the American people are ready for change. Let's face it, change is inevitbal but it seems that it is a slow process.
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7/7/2008 11:46:51 pm
Yes Angela, some changes have taken place by law but, as you and Hannah point out the will to change is still not with the American people. They see change as a threat......to their values, their power,their perception of what America is. These descendants of immigrants, many of them ,the rejected of Europe, and the persecuted and refugees from eleswhere have become blinkered. They have forgotten from whence they came.
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Angela Morency
7/8/2008 12:46:53 am
Yes, I agree that Obama has to work hard to get the public aware of what he would like to contribute to America, but he should work hard. Nothing in life comes easy, and he should work hard to get out his politics. I would not want a president to be president just because. Hard work and determination are great values and if the American people can see this, maybe they can connect Obama's qualities to what he can do for their country. Work hard and with determination to improve America.
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Miranda Ramnares
7/8/2008 01:18:58 am
Happy Birthday Grandpa!
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Hannah Deegan
7/8/2008 06:08:11 am
As afore stated, Obama is fighting an uphill battle, he's pushing for change and everything from his name to his color are going to be used against him. On top of that, Hilary and Obama completely divided and polarized the Democratic Base; they spent months tearing each other part. He will have to work everyday up to election time undoing that damage.
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7/9/2008 01:43:03 am
Thanks all... We will continue to follow the Obama saga....keep the comments coming....
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Jeanie Rich
7/26/2008 12:32:55 pm
I saw on Democracy Now (on Satelite, Link TV) that the Republicans have already "fixed" the 2009 election. They have proven methods of voter manipulation that were outlined on the show last week. Should that fail they can always win in the courts, they have done it before. I am ashamed to be an American.
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7/28/2008 01:57:57 am
Jeanie/ Carol........The Republicans are running scare, and this is when they are at their most venomous. They will begin their attacks slowly, dorpping hints and innuendos about Obama;s name , his loyalty,his religion and whatever else they can conjure, in order to get him off message.
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![]() "Ecce Homo" ("Behold the Man"), Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Pontius Pilate presenting a scourged Jesus to the people of Jerusalem. ![]() figure 1-a ![]() (Fig 2a) The Death of Innocents Author Ishwar R. Prashad recently retired from over 47 years of teaching. Archives
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